George C. Miller, CFRE, MBA
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Congratulations on your decision to pursue an optometric education at Southern College of Optometry. The Office of Institutional Advancement serves as a resource for you throughout your time here at the College. It’s my privilege to provide an overview of some of the valuable services performed by the Office of Institutional Advancement. Whether it’s building relationships with students or continuing those relationships with alumni, we are committed to securing success for all those who chose to receive their optometric education at Southern College of Optometry.
ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT
As many of our alumni will attest, there’s a relatively short time frame between your four years as an optometry student to a lifetime of practicing optometry. Institutional Advancement assists with alumni programs that benefit more than 6,700 alumni who live and practice in all 50 states and nearly a dozen countries. To connect you with alumni and introduce you to the greater SCO family, the Institutional Advancement department facilitates an annual Homecoming and class reunion event, alumni meetings and receptions at the American Optometric Association, the American Academy of Optometry, SECO International, Heart of America, and other state and regional associations. At events like these, our office will work with interested students to meet alumni attending these conferences.
DEVELOPMENT
As a student, you will benefit from a number of on-campus events and programs organized by Institutional Advancement, including the annual White Coat Ceremony each fall. Institutional Advancement also facilitates the senior awards program at graduation, events for the graduation week, as well as State Day, a popular student program that invites ODs and state associations to campus to provide information about optometry. Of vital importance to students, Institutional Advancement also leads the college’s fundraising effort to seek support for our growing list of nearly 200 endowed scholarships, awards, and additional educational programs.
THE HAYES CENTER FOR PRACTICE EXCELLENCE
Founded in 2005, by Cris and Jerry Hayes, OD ’73, The Hayes Center for Practice Excellence (HCPE) is integral to the SCO Experience, and is recognized nationally for its leadership and success in preparing graduates and alumni for success in the independent practice of optometry.
SCO’s approach to practice management is unique in that it provides “first-in-class” education and training in the administrative, financial, operational, and human resources aspects of an optometric business throughout the student’s 4-year enrollment, both in the classroom and through an extensive offering of cross-curricular programs, seminars and mentorship opportunities.
The HCPE also extends its resources and support to SCO alumni at no cost throughout their optometric journey.
PLACEMENT | CAREER COUNSELING
Helping students discover the “practice of their dreams” is the ultimate goal of the HCPE. On this path, SCO encourages applicants to learn about the profession by visiting multiple practice locations even prior to making application.
When enrolled, students are actively engaged in a variety of programs and events to further their understanding of various practice modalities and specialties, including a job shadowing contest and Focus on Your Future activities.
As graduation approaches, each student participates in individualized career development sessions during the 3rd and 4th year, and is provided coaching and assistance in developing professional LinkedIn profiles and resumes/CVs. Additionally, every student, resident and alumnus has unlimited access to Optometry’s Practice Connection (OPC), the ophthalmic industry’s leading placement website.
A service that students and alumni find invaluable is the evaluation and guidance provided by HCPE staff on employment contracts and compensation structures.
NETWORKING
With more than 6,700 alumni practicing in all 50 states and abroad, SCO provides abundant opportunities to network and connect with practicing optometrists for professional development and identifying practice opportunities.
SCO provides a wealth of networking opportunities to engage with and learn from leaders in the profession:
• Participating in the HCPE Summer Shadowing Contest following 1st year;
• Attending State Day on campus in order to meet legislators and association leaders;
• Joining alumni from around the country at Meet and Greets during Homecoming;
• Participating in any of the many events SCO hosts annually at local, state, regional and national meetings.
